Friction Bailey

The dynamic male/female vocal interplay of husband-wife duo Steve Wesely and Joy Grace Guiles highlights the acoustic rock of Friction Baily. Based in San Dimas, about 30 miles east of Los Angeles, CA, the band is essentially comprised of Steve and Joy with the occasional contribution of outside help. The couple met while attending Azusa Pacific University and married in 1995. Both had been writing and performing music for years — Steve inspired by such singer/songwriters as Paul Simon, Paul Westerberg, and Stephen Malkmus; Joy inspired by such artists as the Sundays, Neil Young, and Ricki Lee Jones. The couple formed Friction Bailey in the mid-’90s and recorded the band’s first demo in its apartment during 1998. In summer 2000 the two recorded their debut album, Tengo Yellow Pedal, with the aid of producer Eric Shouse and engineer Ben Eggehorn; in addition, Eggehorn contributed drums, and George Matamala played bass and keyboard on several songs. Steve and Joy perform frequently as an acoustic duo but also occasionally in a band setting. ~ Jason Birchmeier